Automatic manifold vacuum spoiler

ABSTRACT

A valve body having an airflow passage formed there-through and a second passage also formed therein intersecting with the first passage and extending transversely thereof. One end of the second passage has an abutment member mounted therein for adjustable positioning therealong with the abutment projecting at least slightly into the first mentioned passage. The other end of the second passage has a spring-urged piston slidable therein and biased toward abutting engagement with the end portion of the abutment projecting into the first passage, the two passages being substantially of the same diameter whereby abutment of the piston with the abutment member will at least substantially close the first mentioned passage. The end of the piston remote from the abutment member is slidable within a cylinder cavity subject to manifold vacuum of an internal combustion engine and the first mentioned passage communicates the interior of the air cleaner of an associated combustion engine with a positive crankcase ventilation system of the engine.

United States Patent i191 Dolfi, Sr.

[111 352,518 [4 1 June 28, 1974 AUTOMATIC MANIFOLD VACUUM SPOILER [76] Inventor: James J. Dolfi, Sr., PO. Box 434,

Torrance, Calif. 90508 [22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1972 121] App]. No.: 284,271

[56] v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1939 Church 123/119 DB 3,166,061. l/l965 Weiser 3,550,570 12/1970 Watson 123/119 B FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,046,947 12/1955 Germany 123/119 DB Primary Examiner Laurence M. Goodridge Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence O. OBrien; Harve'y B. Jacobson 5 7] ABSTRACT A valve body having an airflow passage formed therethrough and a second passage also formed therein intersecting with the first passage and extending transversely thereof. One end of the second passage has an abutment member mounted therein for adjustable positioning therealong with the abutment projecting at least slightly into the first mentioned passage. The other end of the second passage has a spring-urged piston slidable therein and biased toward abutting engagement with the end portion of the abutment projecting into the first passage, the two passages being substantially of the same diameter whereby abutment of the piston with the abutment member will at least substantially close the first mentioned passage. The end of the piston remote from the abutment member is slidable within a cylinder cavity subject to manifold vacuum of an internal combustion engine and the first mentioned passage communicates the interior of the air cleaner of an associated combustion engine with a positive crankcase ventilation system of the engine.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 AUTOMATIC MANIFOLD VACUUM SPOILER thereof. In this manner, very little supplemental air, if

any, will be admitted into the intake manifold during slow speed operation of the associated engine.

Also, the vacuum spoiler of the instant invention includes an intake for supplemental air and an outlet for supplemental air with a carburetor vacuum controlled throttling valve for controlling the flow of supplemental air through the vacuum spoiler and the outlet of the vacuum spoiler is connected, by means of a T fitting, to the air line extending from the PCV valve of the associated combustion engine to the air intake passages of the engine downstream from the associated carburetor. I

The main object of this invention is to provide an automatic vacuum spoiler assembly for an internal combustion engine which will be capable of admitting air into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in response to various operating conditions of the internal combustion engine.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a vacuum spoiler assembly capable of being actuated in direct response to an increase of vacuum, beyond a predetermined point, within the carburetor upstream from a the throttle plates thereof;

Still another object of this invention is to provide an automaticvacuum spoiler for the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine which is operative in response to engine speedand throttle setting to admit air into the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine whenever the speed of operation of the engine exceeds a predetermined level.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an automatic vacuum spoiler assembly in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to install so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in installation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a conventional form of automotive-type internal combustion engine with the vacuum spoiler of the instant invention operatively associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum spoiler with the adjacent ends of the associated air passage tubes and vacuum tubes connected thereto;

'FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates an internal combustion engine including an engine block 12, cylinder heads 14 and 16 topped by rocker arm covers 18 and 20, respectively. The lower end of the engine block 12 is closed by means of an oil pan 22 as is conventional and an intake manifold 24 is mounted between the cylinder heads 14 and 16 and supports a conventional form of carburetor 26 thereon topped by an air cleaner 28. Of course, the air cleaner 28 comprises an inlet for air to the air and fuel passages extending through the carburetor 26 and the intake manifold 24 has passages therein communicating the discharge ends of the carburetor air and fuel passages with the inlet passages of the cylinder heads 14 and 16, the internal passages of the carburetor 26, intake manifold 24 and heads 14 and 16 not being shown.

The automatic vacuum spoiler of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 11 and includes a main body block 30 which may be conveniently constructed of aluminum. The body 30 has a first passage 32 fonned therethrough. The inlet end of the passage 32 includes an outwardly projecting cylindrical inlet nipple 34 having a small air filter 35 operatively associated with its open outer end. The outlet end of the passage 32 includes a cylindrical outwardly projecting outlet nipple 36. In addition, the

body 30 has a second passage 38 formed therethrough.

The end section 40 of the passage 38 disposed on one side of the first passage 32 includes an outer end diametrically enlarged threaded counterbore 42 and the end section 44 of the passage 38 disposed on the other side of the passage 32 includes a first diametrically enlarged outer end counterbore 46 terminating outwardly in a second further enlarged threaded counterbore 48.

The discharge end of the passage 32 has one leg 50 of a T,-fitting 51 secured therein and the other two legs 52 and 54 of the T-fitting are secured in the adjacent ends of the hose sections 55 and 56 comprising a conduit 57 provided for a purpose to be subsequently set forth. An abutment screw 58 including a diametrically enlarged and slotted head 60 at one end and a slightly diametrically reduced cylindrical shank portion 62 at its other end is threaded in the counterbore 42 with the shank portion 62 slidingly and rotatably received through the smooth bore portion 40 of the second passage, the latter being of substantially the same diameter and intersecting with the passage 32. The terminal end of the shank portion 62 projects into the passage 32 and a helical spring 64 is disposed about the abutment screw 58 between the inner side of the head 50 and the opposing surfaces of the body 30.

A piston 63 is slidably disposed within the first counterbore 46 and includes a circumferential groove 65 in which a sealing ring 66 is seated. The end of the piston 63 adjacent the abutment screw 58 includes a cylindrical shank portion 68 which is slidingly received through the smooth bore 44 and has its free end abutted with the inner end of the abutment screw 30, the shank portions 62 and 68 closing the passage 32.

A retainer plug 70 is threadedly engaged in the threaded second counterbore 48 and has an air passage 72 formed axially therethrough whose outer end opens outwardly through a small diameter outlet nipple 74 formed integrally with the plug 70. The inlet end of a vacuum line 76 is telescoped over the nipple 74. The opposing ends of the piston 63 and the plug 70 define blind recesses 78 and 80 in which the opposite ends of a coiled compression spring 82 are seated. Further, a small diameter vacuum relief passage 84 is formed in the body 30 and communicates the inner end of the counter bore 46 with the passage 32 upstream from the passage 38.

As hereinbefore set forth, the body 30 may be constructed of aluminum and the abutment screw 58 as well as the piston 63 and plug 70 may be constructed of nylon. The sealing ring 66 may be constructed of neoprene or any other suitable resilient material in order to form a fluidtight seal between the piston 63 and the counterbore 64.

In operation, with the piston 63 acted upon by the vacuum within the vacuum line 76, an increase of vacuum causes the piston 63 to be drawn toward the plug 70 against the biasing action of the spring 82. Of course, outward movement of the piston 63 in the counterbore 46 will cause the adjacent ends of the shank portions 62 and 68 to be spaced apart and accordingly, increases in air flow through the passage 32 are experienced with increases in vacuum within the vacuum tube or line 76.

The abutment screw 58 may be backed out so as to lower the amount of vacuum which will be necessary to shift the shank portion 68 away from the shank portion 62. Conversely, if the adjusting screw 58 is turned inward, higher vacuum within the line 76 will be necessary before the shank portion 68 of the piston 63 is moved away from the shank portion 62 of the adjusting screw 58 against the biasing action of the spring 82. Of course, the spring 64 serves to frictionally maintain the adjusting screw 58 in adjusted rotated position.

The conduit 57 extends from the conventional PCV valve 84 of the engine to a fitting (not shown) opening into the base of the carburetor 26 as at 86 below the throttle plates (not shown) of the carburetor 26. In this manner, when excess carburetor vacuum above the throttle plates is experienced the passage 32 through the vacuum spoiler 11 is opened to admit ambient air into the conduit 57 for subsequent discharge into the base of the carburetor 26 below the throttle plates of the carburetor. Of course, in some installations a spacing plate is interposed between the carburetor base and the manifold 24 and the associated PCV conduit opens into the interior of the spacer disposed below the carburetor. In any event, the discharge end of the conduit 57 opens into the inlet passages of the internal combustion engine 10 downstream from the associated carburetor throttle plates and the vacuum line 76 opens into the air and fuel passages of the carburetor 26 in which a source of vacuum is present during operation of the associated engine 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A vacuum controlled valve comprising a body having relatively angulated and intersecting first and second passages formed therein, said first passage extending through said body and being adapted to be communicated, at one end, with a positive crankcase ventilation assembly air passage extending between the associated PCV valve and a source of manifold vacuum of the associated internal combustion engine, one end portion of said second passage on one side of the first passage being blocked by an abutment member disposed in said one end portion and adjustably positionable therealong and projecting into said first passage, the other end of said second passage having a shank member slidably disposed therein and spring-urged toward abutting engagement with said abutment member, said shank member and said abutment member, when abutted together, at least substantially blocking said first passage to the passage of air therethrough, and vacuum motor means operatively associated with said shank member for yieldingly biasing the latter in the direction along said second passage opposite to the direction in which said shank member is spring-urged in response to said vacuum motor means being operatively associated with a source of vacuum above a predetermined magnitude.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least the adjacent portions of said abutment member and said shank member are cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter of the portion of said first passage with which said second passage intersects.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said one end portion of said second passage opens endwise outwardly of said body and the outer end of said one end portion of said second passage includes a threaded counterbore, said abutment member including a diametrically enlarged and threaded outer end portion threadedly engaged in said counterbore.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the other end of said second passage also opens endwise outwardly of said body and the outer end portion of said other end portion includes a diametrically enlarged smooth counterbore, said shank portion including a diametrically enlarged piston on the end thereof remote from said abutment member, said piston being slidably received in said smooth counterbore inwardly of said outer end of the other end of said second passage, the outer end of said other end of said second passage including a closure member having a vacuum-passage formed therethrough, and compression spring means disposed between said closure member and piston yieldably urging said piston toward said abutment member.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein at least the adjacent portions of said abutment member and said shank member are cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter of the portion of said first passage with which said second passage intersects.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first passage includes inlet and outlet end portions disposed on opposite sides of said abutment member, said body including a vent passage communicating the inner end of said smooth counterbore with said first passage upstream from said abutment member. 

1. A vacuum controlled valve comprising a body having relatively angulated and intersecting first and second passages formed therein, said first passage extending through said body and being adapted to be communicated, at one end, with a positive crankcase ventilation assembly air passage extending between the associated PCV valve and a source of manifold vacuum of the associated internal combustion engine, one end portion of said second passage on one side of the first passage being Blocked by an abutment member disposed in said one end portion and adjustably positionable therealong and projecting into said first passage, the other end of said second passage having a shank member slidably disposed therein and spring-urged toward abutting engagement with said abutment member, said shank member and said abutment member, when abutted together, at least substantially blocking said first passage to the passage of air therethrough, and vacuum motor means operatively associated with said shank member for yieldingly biasing the latter in the direction along said second passage opposite to the direction in which said shank member is spring-urged in response to said vacuum motor means being operatively associated with a source of vacuum above a predetermined magnitude.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least the adjacent portions of said abutment member and said shank member are cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter of the portion of said first passage with which said second passage intersects.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said one end portion of said second passage opens endwise outwardly of said body and the outer end of said one end portion of said second passage includes a threaded counterbore, said abutment member including a diametrically enlarged and threaded outer end portion threadedly engaged in said counterbore.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the other end of said second passage also opens endwise outwardly of said body and the outer end portion of said other end portion includes a diametrically enlarged smooth counterbore, said shank portion including a diametrically enlarged piston on the end thereof remote from said abutment member, said piston being slidably received in said smooth counterbore inwardly of said outer end of the other end of said second passage, the outer end of said other end of said second passage including a closure member having a vacuum passage formed therethrough, and compression spring means disposed between said closure member and piston yieldably urging said piston toward said abutment member.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein at least the adjacent portions of said abutment member and said shank member are cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter of the portion of said first passage with which said second passage intersects.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first passage includes inlet and outlet end portions disposed on opposite sides of said abutment member, said body including a vent passage communicating the inner end of said smooth counterbore with said first passage upstream from said abutment member. 